SCHOOLCHILDREN in East Oxford will soon be able to learn how to make puppets and perform in shows thanks to new workshops at Magdalen Road Studios.

The Oxford Puppet Theatre Company, which has been running a confidence-building puppet group for pupils at North Oxford’s SS Philip and James’ Primary School since September 2011, is expanding into East Oxford to allow children from other schools to take part.

Amanda Morley, founder of The Oxford Puppet Theatre Company, said: “I thought it would be a great idea to get more children involved in East Oxford because it’s the city’s cultural centre and is so diverse.

“The sessions are all about helping kids build confidence through live drama without forcing them to stand directly in front of an audience like in plays.”

Ms Morley’s Phil & Jim Puppet Theatre Group at SS Philip and James’ currently helps children to adapt a story, create characters in the form of handmade marionettes, make props and scenery and narrate pre-recorded scripts ready for live performances.

Phil & Jim Puppet Theatre Group is solely for pupils at SS Philip and James’, but The Oxford Puppet Theatre Companyplans to work with pupils from a range of schools nearby including Larkrise Primary School, St Mary and St John Primary School and East Oxford Primary School.

Olivia Burt,10, who attends SS Philip and James and is helping stage Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf at Burton Taylor Studio tomorrow, said: “I think it will be good for other children outside of our school to experience what we have. It’s really, really fun.”

The Oxford Puppet Theatre Company is running a summer school to kick-start its new home in East Oxford from Monday, July 29 to Friday, August 2.

Four free places will be awarded to pupils at local schools and there will be a free taster session on Monday, July 29 from 10-1pm at Magdalen Road Studios.

For more information about the project, visit oxfordpuppetcompany.org